Evaluation and Staging in Nasopharyngeal Cancer

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a rare malignancy globally, with age-standardized rates generally below 1 per 100,000 person-years. The clinical features at presentation in a patient with NPC largely depend on the area of involvement of the disease. The most common site of origin is the lateral aspect of the nasopharynx and the fossa of Rosenmuller. The most common clinical findings in NPC are a rapidly growing neck mass (frequently localized in the posterior neck triangle and upper jugular chain) (63–76%), nasal symptoms (70–73%), aural symptoms (62–73%), and symptoms associated with CN involvement (20–26%). Once the histopathological reports have confirmed the presence of NPC, the next step is to do tumor mapping, done on the basis of radiological tests. The most commonly used radiological investigations are computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This chapter will explain in detail the workup and staging of NPC.